abstract: 'In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the probability of dying in

  childhood is strongly related to the socio-economic position of the

  parents or household in which the child is born. This article reviews

  the evidence on the magnitude of socio-economic inequalities in

  childhood mortality within LMICs, discusses possible causes and

  highlights entry points for intervention.

  Evidence on socio-economic inequalities in childhood mortality in LMICs

  is mostly based on data from household surveys and demographic

  surveillance sites.

  Childhood mortality is systematically and considerably higher among

  lower socio-economic groups within countries. Also most proximate

  mortality determinants, including malnutrition, exposure to infections,

  maternal characteristics and health care use show worse levels among

  more deprived groups. The magnitude of inequality varies between

  countries and over time, suggesting its amenability to intervention.

  Reducing inequalities in childhood mortality would substantially

  contribute to improving population health and reaching the Millennium

  Development Goals (MDGs).

  The contribution of specific determinants, including national policies,

  to childhood mortality inequalities remains uncertain. What works to

  reduce these inequalities, in particular whether policies should be

  universal or targeted to the poor, is much debated.

  The increasing political attention for addressing health inequalities

  needs to be accompanied by more evidence on the contribution of specific

  determinants, and on ways to ensure that interventions reach lower

  socio-economic groups.'
affiliation: 'Houweling, TAJ (Corresponding Author), Erasmus MC Univ Med Ctr Rotterdam,
  Dept Publ Hlth, POB 2040, NL-3000 CA Rotterdam, Netherlands.

  Houweling, Tanja A. J., Erasmus MC Univ Med Ctr Rotterdam, Dept Publ Hlth, NL-3000
  CA Rotterdam, Netherlands.

  Kunst, Anton E., Univ Amsterdam, Acad Med Ctr, Dept Publ Hlth, NL-1105 AZ Amsterdam,
  Netherlands.'
author: Houweling, Tanja A. J. and Kunst, Anton E.
author-email: tanja.houweling@gmail.com
author_list:
- family: Houweling
  given: Tanja A. J.
- family: Kunst
  given: Anton E.
da: '2023-09-28'
doi: 10.1093/bmb/ldp048
eissn: 1471-8391
files: []
issn: 0007-1420
journal: BRITISH MEDICAL BULLETIN
keywords: 'health inequality; child mortality; low- and middle-income countries;

  socioeconomic factors; review'
keywords-plus: 'HEALTH-CARE; INFANT-MORTALITY; MATERNAL EDUCATION; POOR; SURVIVAL;

  DETERMINANTS; INEQUITIES; EQUITY; GROWTH; RATES'
language: English
month: MAR
number: '1'
number-of-cited-references: '105'
orcid-numbers: 'Kunst, Anton/0000-0002-3313-5273

  Houweling, Tanja AJ/0000-0001-6090-4376'
pages: 7-26
papis_id: 14b8b50c6c56c4fc9946beeaaa5b3285
ref: Houweling2010socioeconomicinequal
researcherid-numbers: 'Houweling, Tanja/GRF-6127-2022

  '
tags:
- review
times-cited: '138'
title: 'Socio-economic inequalities in childhood mortality in low- and middle-income
  countries: a review of the international evidence'
type: Review
unique-id: WOS:000275565800002
usage-count-last-180-days: '0'
usage-count-since-2013: '25'
volume: '93'
web-of-science-categories: Medicine, General \& Internal
year: '2010'